CARLO MARATTA (CAMERANO 1625-1713 ROME)

Virgin and Child. Red chalk on thin cream laid paper, 1712-13. 250x185 mm; 9x7 inches. Six-pointed star in a circle watermark. Ex-collection Sir Andrew Fountaine (see Lugt 2885 and 2886); Jonathan Richardson, with his shelf number and inscription "Done at Giuseppe Chiari's by Carlo about 6 months before his death, & bought from Rome by Sr. Andrew Fountayne" in ink (Lugt 2183, lower right recto); Th‚ophile de Baranowicz (Lugt supplement 335a, lower left recto); and unknown collector, initials AS in ink, lower right recto (not in Lugt). Fountaine (1676-1753) traveled extensively throughout Europe in the early 1700s and built an impressive collection of art and antiquities which he stored at his estate Narford Hall in Norfolk. He was made Warden of the Mint in 1727 and was also Vice Chamberlain to the Prince of Wales. Lugt mentions Fountaine as the owner of a portrait of Nicholas Lanier by Jan Lievens, formerly in the collection of Charles I. Giuseppe Chiari entered Maratta's studio in 1666 and maintained a close relationship with Maratta until his death.